7% surge in people taking their own lives
Figures revealed by the CSO show 525 deaths were officially recorded as suicide last year — with a further 63 described as unexplained, bringing the potential total to 588.
The official figure is 7% higher than the 488 deaths by suicide recorded in 2010, and more than 14 times the murder rate (37) for the same 12 months — despite violent attacks repeatedly gaining more attention as a major societal problem.
The 525 deaths, which overwhelmingly (439) involved men, ranged from one person aged between five and 14 and another over the age of 85.
However, the most worrying suicide levels were among the 35-44 (132) and 45-54 (116) age groups, indicating the growing impact of the recession.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s News at One, Irish Association of Suicidology president and Fine Gael TD, Dan Neville, said the surge in cases of suicide is directly linked to the economic crash. He said international research shows for every 1% rise in unemployment there is a 0.78% rise in the suicide levels. “It’s extremely concerning. The neglect of mental health services and the recession has had the impact of lots of depression, anxiety, hopelessness and despair.”
He added that he was worried about the impact of yet more cutbacks in the health service to cope with a surging health service deficit this year.
He said that in previous years mental health budgets have been re-routed to other areas to cope, causing yet more problems for the vital support system.
The CSO figures also confirmed that while there was an overall natural population increase (births minus deaths) of 45,655 last year, 28,995 deaths still occurred in 2011.
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